Oil & Fuel What to do for injectors

[Mike F]

I got some bad diesel fuel with water in it. I have a TZ22DA. I emptied and cleaned the tank, emptied and cleaned the filter bowl and new filter, and bled the system.

The tractor starts and runs for about 20 - 30 minutes and then starts to run roughly. It cycles from < 1000 rpm to over 2800 rpm for a number of cycles and them stalls. I then have trouble starting it.

For those 20 - 30 minutes I have enough power to cut some lawn, until the cycling starts. Once it starts cycling there is only a short period before it stalls.
The fuel bowl is full of fuel and there is no obvious water or sediment in the bowl. I usually can't start it again for quite a while ( I have been waiting overnight) where it stays running.

I have added some diesel injector cleaner, with no obvious change.

I suspect I need to clean the injectors but don't have access to any directions telling me the procedure for cleaning them. Is there anyone out there who can help me?

 

[JFS2295]

The first thing I would do is make sure the tank is venting. The next time it starts to run rough or not start crack the fill cap open.

If the vent hole is clogged a vacuum will slowly form in the tank as fuel is being used, starving the engine - even one with an injection pump. The tank will eventually come up to atmospheric pressure, but it takes time.

 

[retiredmgn]

I got some bad diesel fuel with water in it. I have a TZ22DA. I emptied and cleaned the tank, emptied and cleaned the filter bowl and new filter, and bled the system.

The tractor starts and runs for about 20 - 30 minutes and then starts to run roughly. It cycles from < 1000 rpm to over 2800 rpm for a number of cycles and them stalls. I then have trouble starting it.

For those 20 - 30 minutes I have enough power to cut some lawn, until the cycling starts. Once it starts cycling there is only a short period before it stalls.
The fuel bowl is full of fuel and there is no obvious water or sediment in the bowl. I usually can't start it again for quite a while ( I have been waiting overnight) where it stays running.

I have added some diesel injector cleaner, with no obvious change.

I suspect I need to clean the injectors but don't have access to any directions telling me the procedure for cleaning them. Is there anyone out there who can help me?

From my experience with injectors on diesel Marine engines there are, 'no user serviceable parts inside'. Those suckers are in the millionth's. If you suspect the injectors, remove them and send to a qualified shop for testing.
I mention marine because as careful as we are about our land based units, people who go to sea depend on their diesels for their life. It's not a deal breaker to have to walk home because your tractor let you down - really suc%s if you're 10 miles out in the ocean.
I've not yet had a problem with injectors on my tractors but if I did I would send them to the same place I sent my injectors for my boat. In Maine here that would be Billings in Stoneington.

Nelson

 

[Jerry/MT]

I got some bad diesel fuel with water in it. I have a TZ22DA. I emptied and cleaned the tank, emptied and cleaned the filter bowl and new filter, and bled the system.

The tractor starts and runs for about 20 - 30 minutes and then starts to run roughly. It cycles from < 1000 rpm to over 2800 rpm for a number of cycles and them stalls. I then have trouble starting it.

For those 20 - 30 minutes I have enough power to cut some lawn, until the cycling starts. Once it starts cycling there is only a short period before it stalls.
The fuel bowl is full of fuel and there is no obvious water or sediment in the bowl. I usually can't start it again for quite a while ( I have been waiting overnight) where it stays running.

I have added some diesel injector cleaner, with no obvious change.

I suspect I need to clean the injectors but don't have access to any directions telling me the procedure for cleaning them. Is there anyone out there who can help me?

I doubt that injectors are the problem. It wouldn't run and then stop because of that.

It sure sounds like you are running out of fuel. Make sure your fuel lines have no air leaks in them. The fittings should be good and tight. Make sure that any bleeder screws are tight and that the fuel filter seals are all tight.

Check the fuel tank valve and screen for debris. You said you cleaned it but did you get all the crud out of the tank?

Make sure your tank vent is not plugged. It's usually in the fuel cap. Next time it stops, pull the cap off the tank and listen for a hiss. If you hear it you've found the problem.

 

[RickB]

If it starts and runs smoothly for 20 minutes, more than likely there is nothing wrong with your injectors.

Sounds more to me as if the tank has a mix of gasoline and diesel fuel in it. or as suggested, a plugged tank vent.

 

[MD09]

I got some bad diesel fuel with water in it. I have a TZ22DA. I emptied and cleaned the tank, emptied and cleaned the filter bowl and new filter, and bled the system.

The tractor starts and runs for about 20 - 30 minutes and then starts to run roughly. It cycles from < 1000 rpm to over 2800 rpm for a number of cycles and them stalls. I then have trouble starting it.

For those 20 - 30 minutes I have enough power to cut some lawn, until the cycling starts. Once it starts cycling there is only a short period before it stalls.
The fuel bowl is full of fuel and there is no obvious water or sediment in the bowl. I usually can't start it again for quite a while ( I have been waiting overnight) where it stays running.

I have added some diesel injector cleaner, with no obvious change.

I suspect I need to clean the injectors but don't have access to any directions telling me the procedure for cleaning them. Is there anyone out there who can help me?

Sounds like this could be a couple of things.
1, check to see if the vent on the tank /cap is working if you are drawing a vacuume... it will take a long time to return to "normal".
2. the engine runs fine for 20-30 minutes, this means the injectors are work as advertised.
3. after 20-30 minutes it quites.... could be there is still water int eh lines or the pump.... or still residual water in the tank, a bit of a long shot but worth looking into. Clean the lines and make sure you have clean fuel to all teh injectors.
4. check the fuel filters often a quick fuel sample in a clean clear jar will let you know if there is still water in the fuel. drain some of the suspect fuel into the jar, swirl, and look for the seporation/bubbles of water.

cheers

 

[Mike F]

I have checked for tank vent issues. It is venting fine. I check the bowl regularly for water and there hasn't been any. I have only been putting in small amounts of fuel, at a bout 1/2 quart at a time. Before I add the fuel it goes into a clear glass bottle to check for any visible particles or water, so I know the fuel is clean.

Twice in the past few days it has run for close to an hour before the cycling stalls it. Each time most of the run time is between 1000 and 1200 rpm with the throttle open wide. It should be at about 3000 rpm in that throttle position. I still suspect poor atomization at the injectors causing a poor fire, or a small clog limiting the fuel that can reach the injectors. I but need a procedure to remove things. I want to make sure I'm looking for everything when Ii start.

 

[RickB]

It's a safe bet that you are not equipped to do anything with the injectors beyond removing them from the cylinder head. It is also more than likely that your injectors are not the problem, in fact it is highly unlikely that there is anything wrong with them. Check every fitting and line between the tank and injection pump again including the inline filter, transfer pump, and any banjo style fittings at the injection pump connection, and be certain the shutoff valve in the secondary fuel filter head isn't broken and opening only partially. Verify a full and unrestricted flow of fuel to the injection pump by removing the line where it enters the pump and turning the key on to activate the electric fuel pump. Catch the pumped fuel in a suitable container, of course.

Half a quart of fuel at a time is probably a small enough amount to make the fuel aerate and cause all manner of problems. Put a minimum of 2 gallons in it. I just caught that part of your post and you may be creating your own problems by simply not putting enough fuel in the tank.

 

[jonyyuma]

I have a doubt that your injectors are at fault..More likely a delivery problem? How long, before the engine will restart and run?

 

[mike48130]

Twice in the past few days it has run for close to an hour before the cycling stalls it. Each time most of the run time is between 1000 and 1200 rpm with the throttle open wide. It should be at about 3000 rpm in that throttle position. I still suspect poor atomization at the injectors causing a poor fire, or a small clog limiting the fuel that can reach the injectors. I but need a procedure to remove things. I want to make sure I'm looking for everything when Ii start.

From your post, I take it is only running at 1000-1200 rpm for the first hour at full throttle. That is not running right even before the surging starts. Sounds like you are pulling in air somewhere. Check the lines and bowl seals. if everything is good, you can take the injectors our and have them tested and cleaned reasonable cheap at diesel injector/turbo shop.